Apparatus and Method for Cellular Extract Enhancement

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a method of increasing extracts  100 E taken from cellular plant tissue  100  comprises the steps of placing prepared cellular plant tissue  100  in a container  114;  introducing a fluid  101  into the container  114  to wet and immerse the prepared cellular plant tissue  100;  and emitting acoustic shock waves  200  into the fluid  101  immersed cellular plant tissue  100  to increase the extracts  100 E released by the plant tissue  100  into the fluid  101  and a product made from the method, the product being a beverage, medicine or drug.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a Division of U.S. application Ser. No.11/836,532 filed on Aug. 9, 2007 entitled “Apparatus And Method ForCellular Extract Enhancement”.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to equipment and methods to enhance theamount or percentage of extractable material from cellular plantproducts such as coffee beans, tea leaves, wheat, barley, oats, hops,nuts, more particularly to the use of acoustic shock waves to facilitateextract yields.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many beverage products employ plant products in their preparation. Theseplant products are typically prepared in a variety of ways to maximizethe yields or percentage of extractable material that can be used tomake the beverage. The plant material is often dried, then roasted andflaked or ground into particle or powders prior to being heated in aliquid, normally water to make a beverage, which can be served hot orserved chilled or even room temperature.

Beer and other alcohol based beverages use a process of fermentation toachieve the desired alcohol content. A variety of combinations ofbarley, hops and wheat or oats or rice can be used to make suchproducts. Typically the plant products are cooked to a boil to achievethe right consistency of flavor and taste, the recipes of such drinksare often closely guarded secrets.

The most favorite beverages using plant products are coffee and tea. Incoffee, the fruit seed of a coffee plant is harvested, this seedcommonly referred to as the coffee bean is used to make a beverage witha 400 billion cup per year consumption worldwide.

Tea employs the leaf of tea plants to make a beverage that is secondonly to coffee in consumption.

Both of these drinks are made using either the dried roasted ground beanin the case of coffee or dried finely chopped tea leaves in thepreparation of tea. In each case very hot water is used to wash extractsfrom the plant material to create the beverage. The cellular fiber orresidue is isolated from the beverage by various means most commonlyfiltration.

The use of various types of beans or blends of such beans and the amountof preparation such as the degree of roasting can greatly alter theflavor and aroma of the coffee. Similarly teas of different blends ormixtures of leaves can alter the taste of the finished product.

Recently, the beneficial aspects of coffee and tea have been shown. Avariety of ingredients or compositions that help prevent a variety ofdiseases are locked up in the cellular tissue of tea leaves and coffeebeans. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,979 sodium bicarbonate is used to create aspike in polyphenols in coffee. The polyphenols simply do not adequatelydissolve in the hot water alone. This polyphenolic fraction isolatedfrom the coffee brew has been shown to inhibit a chemical tumor promoterwhich caused oxidative stress and inflammatory response in mice. In thecase of coffee, typically only a small percentage of these nutrients canbe extracted. In particular, the coffee bean grounds are encased in anoil crushed from the bean pulp, the oil is hydrophobic and preventswater from effectively penetrating the cellular fibers. Heating thewater helps break down this oil, but at best only 10-15% of theextractables are released into the water. This means four to five thetimes the amount of coffee grounds must be used to make a coffeebeverage based on these very low yields.

It has been reported in U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,066 that agitating thegrounds by pulsing a fluid spray improves wetting of the coffee materialand the agitation helps break down the oils coating the grounds and thishelps improve the yield slightly. A stirring coffee press is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,218 that has a rotatable blade to stir the coffeegrounds while simultaneously compressing and agitating the grounds. U.S.Pat. No. 7,227,728 shows a brewing apparatus with a pre-infusion andpulse brewing of water into the grounds to create turbulence thatjostles and promotes more uniform brewing.

The present invention provides a new way to unlock the flavors andnutrients in coffee, teas and other plant based beverages. The presentinvention's ability to change the plant or seed's cellular tissueresponse to the water can result in a higher effective yield of extractsdeliverable to the beverage than was heretofore possible.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An apparatus for increasing extracts taken from cellular plant tissuehas a preparation container for holding the cellular plant tissue, thecontainer having an inlet or opening to receive a fluid to wet thecellular plant tissue and take extracts from the cellular plant tissueto create a fluid with extracts mixture, and an outlet to pass the fluidwith extracts mixture, a holding vessel to receive the fluid withextracts; and an acoustic shock wave device for transmitting shock wavesto the wet cellular plant tissue to enhance release of extracts into thefluid.

The apparatus may also include a heating element to heat the fluid priorto contacting the cellular plant tissue and a means to separate thefluid and extracts mixture from the cellular tissue wherein the cellulartissue is mechanically held as the fluid with extracts mixture passes tothe holding vessel.

Preferably the acoustic shock wave device transmits the shock waves in apattern covering a volumetric region of the held cellular tissue as thecellular tissue is immersed in the fluid. The acoustic shock wavepattern is transmitted at least initially as the fluid passes throughthe cellular tissue. Preferably the acoustic shock wave pattern istransmitted continuously as the fluid passes through the cellulartissue. Alternatively, the transmission of the acoustic shock wavepattern is pulsed intermittently as the fluid passes through thecellular tissue.

The cellular plant tissue can be ground coffee and the apparatus iscoffee maker or coffee brewer, or the cellular plant tissue is coffeebeans placed in a slurry to create a fluid with extract mixture to makean instant coffee product. Also, the cellular plant tissue can be madeof tea leaves and the apparatus is a tea maker. Additionally, thecellular plant tissue is one or more of the following; hops, barley,wheat, oats, soy beans or rice and the apparatus is used in brewing abeverage having an alcohol content. The cellular plant tissue can beused in the formulation of an extract for use in a drug or medicinecomposition.

The invention further discloses a method of increasing extracts takenfrom cellular plant tissue comprises the steps of placing preparedcellular plant tissue in a container; introducing a fluid into thecontainer to wet and immerse the prepared cellular plant tissue; andemitting acoustic shock waves into the fluid immersed cellular planttissue to increase the extracts released by the plant tissue into thefluid and a product made from the method, the product being a beverage,medicine or drug.

Definitions

A “curved emitter” is an emitter having a curved reflecting (orfocusing) or emitting surface and includes, but is not limited to,emitters having ellipsoidal, parabolic, quasi parabolic (generalparaboloid) or spherical reflector/reflecting or emitting elements.Curved emitters having a curved reflecting or focusing element generallyproduce waves having focused wave fronts, while curved emitters having acurved emitting surfaces generally produce wave having divergent wavefronts.

“Divergent waves” in the context of the present invention are all waveswhich are not focused and are not plane or nearly plane. Divergent wavesalso include waves which only seem to have a focus or source from whichthe waves are transmitted. The wave fronts of divergent waves havedivergent characteristics. Divergent waves can be created in manydifferent ways, for example: A focused wave will become divergent onceit has passed through the focal point. Spherical waves are also includedin this definition of divergent waves and have wave fronts withdivergent characteristics.

“Embryo” a discrete mass of cells with a well defined structure that iscapable of growing into a whole plant.

“Extracorporeal” occurring or based outside the living body or plantstructure.

“Extract” to obtain something from a source, usually by separating itout from other material.

A “generalized paraboloid” according to the present invention is also athree-dimensional bowl. In two dimensions (in Cartesian coordinates, xand y) the formula y^(n)=2 px [with n being ≠2, but being greater thanabout 1,2 and smaller than 2, or greater than 2 but smaller than about2,8]. In a generalized paraboloid, the characteristics of the wavefronts created by electrodes located within the generalized paraboloidmay be corrected by the selection of (p (−z,+z)), with z being a measurefor the burn down of an electrode, and n, so that phenomena including,but not limited to, burn down of the tip of an electrode (−z,+z) and/ordisturbances caused by diffraction at the aperture of the paraboloid arecompensated for.

“Ovule” The body which, after fertilization, becomes the seed.

A “paraboloid” according to the present invention is a three-dimensionalreflecting bowl. In two dimensions (in Cartesian coordinates, x and y)the formula y²=2 px, wherein p/2 is the distance of the focal point ofthe paraboloid from its apex, defines the paraboloid. Rotation of thetwo-dimensional figure defined by this formula around its longitudinalaxis generates a de facto paraboloid.

“Plane waves” are sometimes also called flat or even waves. Their wavefronts have plane characteristics (also called even or parallelcharacteristics). The amplitude in a wave front is constant and the“curvature” is flat (that is why these waves are sometimes called flatwaves). Plane waves do not have a focus to which their fronts move(focused) or from which the fronts are emitted (divergent). “Nearlyplane waves” also do not have a focus to which their fronts move(focused) or from which the fronts are emitted (divergent). Theamplitude of their wave fronts (having “nearly plane” characteristics)is approximating the constancy of plain waves. “Nearly plane” waves canbe emitted by generators having pressure pulse/shock wave generatingelements with flat emitters or curved emitters. Curved emitters maycomprise a generalized paraboloid that allows waves having nearly planecharacteristics to be emitted.

A “pressure pulse” according to the present invention is an acousticpulse which includes several cycles of positive and negative pressure.The amplitude of the positive part of such a cycle should be above about0.1 MPa and its time duration is from below a microsecond to about asecond. Rise times of the positive part of the first pressure cycle maybe in the range of nano-seconds (ns) up to some milli-seconds (ms). Veryfast pressure pulses are called shock waves. Shock waves used in medicalapplications do have amplitudes above 0.1 MPa and rise times of theamplitude are below 100 ns. The duration of a shock wave is typicallybelow 1-3 micro-seconds (μs) for the positive part of a cycle andtypically above some micro-seconds for the negative part of a cycle.

“seed” The ripened ovule, consisting of the embryo and its proper coats.

“Waves/wave fronts” described as being “focused” or “having focusingcharacteristics” means in the context of the present invention that therespective waves or wave fronts are traveling and increase theiramplitude in direction of the focal point. Per definition the energy ofthe wave will be at a maximum in the focal point or, if there is a focalshift in this point, the energy is at a maximum near the geometricalfocal point. Both the maximum energy and the maximal pressure amplitudemay be used to define the focal point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wave(PP/SW) generator with focusing wave characteristics.

FIG. 1 b is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator with plane wave characteristics.

FIG. 1 c is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator with divergent wave characteristics.

FIG. 2 a is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator having an adjustable exit window along the pressure wave path.The exit window is shown in a focusing position.

FIG. 2 b is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator having an exit window along the pressure wave path. The exitwindow as shown is positioned at the highest energy divergent position.

FIG. 2 c is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator having an exit window along the pressure wave path. The exitwindow is shown at a low energy divergent position.

FIG. 3 is a simplified depiction of an electro-hydraulic pressurepulse/shock wave generator having no reflector or focusing element.Thus, the waves of the generator did not pass through a focusing elementprior to exiting it.

FIG. 4 a is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator having a focusing element in the form of an ellipsoid. Thewaves generated are focused.

FIG. 4 b is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator having a parabolic reflector element and generating waves thatare disturbed plane.

FIG. 4 c is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator having a quasi parabolic reflector element (generalizedparaboloid) and generating waves that are nearly plane/have nearly planecharacteristics.

FIG. 4 d is a simplified depiction of a generalized paraboloid withbetter focusing characteristic than a paraboloid in which n=2. Theelectrode usage is shown. The generalized paraboloid, which is aninterpolation (optimization) between two optimized paraboloids for a newelectrode and for a used (burned down) electrode is also shown.

FIG. 5 is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator being connected to a control/power supply unit.

FIG. 6 is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator comprising a flat EMSE (electromagnetic shock wave emitter)coil system to generate nearly plane waves as well as an acoustic lens.Convergent wave fronts are leaving the housing via an exit window.

FIG. 7 is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator having a flat EMSE coil system to generate nearly plane waves.The generator has no reflecting or focusing element. As a result, thepressure pulse/shock waves are leaving the housing via the exit windowunfocused having nearly plane wave characteristics.

FIG. 8 is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator having a flat piezoceramic plate equipped with a single ornumerous individual piezoceramic elements to generate plane waveswithout a reflecting or focusing element. As a result, the pressurepulse/shock waves are leaving the housing via the exit window unfocusedhaving nearly plane wave characteristics.

FIG. 9 is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator having a cylindrical EMSE system and a triangular shapedreflecting element to generate plane waves. As a result, the pressurepulse/shock waves are leaving the housing via the exit window unfocusedhaving nearly plane wave characteristics.

FIG. 10 is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wave (PP/SW)generator with focusing wave characteristics shown focused with thefocal point or geometrical focal volume being on a substance, the focusbeing targeted on the location X₀.

FIG. 11 is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wave (PP/SW)generator with the focusing wave characteristics shown wherein the focusis located a distance X, from the location X₀ of a substance wherein theconverging waves impinge the substance.

FIG. 12 is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wave (PP/SW)generator with focusing wave characteristics shown wherein the focus islocated a distance X₂ from the location X₀ wherein the emitted divergentwaves impinge the substance.

FIG. 13A shows cellular plant tissues being treated with shock wavesbeing transmitted in an apparatus through a container or vat holding aquantity of plant cellular tissue in an upper portion of the apparatus,the tissue to be shock wave treated to enhance the percentage orquantity of extracted material removed from the plant cellular tissue tocreate a fluid with extract mixture.

FIG. 13B shows an enlarged view of the upper portion of the apparatus ofFIG. 13A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In US 2006/0100551, published May 11, 2006 it was discovered that planttissue could be stimulated with low energy acoustic shock waves. In thatstudy old seeds that typically would not germinate were treated with noncell damaging acoustic shock waves and planted. A surprisingly highpercentage of the seeds propagated and grew into full sized plants.

It was recognized that such a use of acoustic shock waves would be veryhelpful in plant cell growth and stimulation as long as the acousticwaves were not of sufficiently high energy to cause cell rupture ordamage.

The present invention employs acoustic shock waves to bombard cellularplant tissue used in preparation of beverages or medicines wherein anextract of the plant tissue is used to make the beverage or medicine.The objective is to release as much of the nutrients or compounds in thecellular tissue as possible. Therefore, the acoustic wave pattern isprimarily interested in exposing each particle of the plant tissue tothe acoustic waves. Cell damage via a mechanical rupturing of the cellwalls can be useful in some applications because the object is torelease the nutrients contained in the cells. In other applications cellrupturing may not be desirable and the present invention can stillincrease extract yields without mechanical rupturing of the outer cellwalls if required. The release of the nutrients can even be improved byexposure to the shock waves at low energy due to the vibrationalresponse of the cell walls which enables the contained nutrients tomigrate across the wall as well as the agitation of the plant tissuecausing a mechanical impacting of the plant tissue particles helping toenable the fluid, normally hot water to penetrate the surface of thegrounds in the case of brewing coffee. This remarkable ability ofacoustic shock waves to increase the permeability of the cell walls andlinings holding nutrients was first discovered in early uses of acousticwaves in medical treatments. The acoustic shock wave has a very rapidpressure spike achieved in an extremely short duration accordingly asthe wave approaches a cell it compresses the cell initially, thereafterthe pressure of the wave drops in a slower fashion as it continuesacross the cell that tends to put tension on the cell wall as it relaxesfrom the sudden compressive rise in pressure. Therefore the cell wallrebounds in a spring like fashion and stretches slightly increasingpermeability. Rapid bombardment of the acoustic waves in a patternsequence first compressing then stretching creates a rapid cellularsqueezing effect enhancing permeability into and out of the cell walls.

The acoustic wave pattern is best transmitted to the cellular planttissue when the plant tissue is fully immersed in fluid. Air pockets andvoids must be avoided as those will stop the waves from propagatingthrough the medium, in this case the fully immersed plant tissue.

One important aspect of the present invention is that the wave patternshould be such that any volumetric focal region should be large enoughto impinge all the plant cells. Accordingly the highly focused wavepattern that converges to a point of high energy is only useful to theextent the adjacent cells are sufficiently exposed to acoustic energy.

To insure a large enough band of acoustic shock wave energy istransmitted to all targeted plant tissue, the use of spherical waves,unfocused waves or planar waves or near planar waves can be used orconvergent or divergent wave patterns having the targeted region pre orpost convergent. Alternatively the focal volume region can be enlargedto a volume large enough to encompass all of the immersed cellular planttissue held in the container. In these ways the release of plantnutrients into the fluid is greatly enhanced.

The present invention relates to the use of various pressure pulse wavepatterns or acoustic shock wave patterns as illustrated in FIGS. 1-12for stimulating plant cellular tissue release of extracted nutrients andcompounds. Each illustrated wave pattern will be discussed later in thedescription; however, the use of each has particularly interestingbeneficial features that are a remarkably valuable new tool in theeffort to increase plant cellular tissue extract and production. Forpurposes of illustration an exemplary apparatus employing the presentinvention is described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate theconcepts as shown are equally applicable to other devices used inmanufacturing other beverages and medicines.

With reference to FIG. 13A, a coffee brewing apparatus 110 has acontainer 111 or brewing vat illustrated adapted to brew coffee 100. Thecontainer 111 has a pipe inlet 112 or opening to receive fluid 101,preferably hot water. The water 101 is heated by a heating element 106to a sufficient high temperature and then is passed through the pipeinlet 112 into a small internal container 114 holding prepared plantcellular tissue 100. The plant cellular tissue 100 in this case is apredetermined quantity of ground coffee 100.

Once the ground coffee 100 is completely immersed in water 101 a shockwave generator or electrode 43 is activated to emit a dosage of acousticshock waves 200 to stimulate a cellular release of extract 100E into thefluid 101. Thereafter the fluid with extract mixture 101E is allowed topass through one or more outlets 115 of the internal container 114 intoa beverage holding portion of the container 111 shown as a lower portionof the apparatus 110. The transmission of shock waves 200 can occurinitially once the grounds 100 are fully immersed and then stopped orcan occur intermittently as more water 101 passes over and through thegrounds 100 or the wave pattern 200 can be generated continuously untilall the water 101 passes through the grounds 100.

As shown the finished beverage coffee can be withdrawn by the movementof the lever 122 which opens the spout 120 and pours into a cup forconsumption.

With reference to FIG. 13B the electrode or shock wave generator device43 is attached to the fluid filled internal container 114 and thetransmission of the spark generated shock waves 200 are transmittedthrough the bottom of the internal container 114 into the fluid immersedcoffee grounds 100. The location of the electrode 43 alternatively couldbe on a side or even the top of the internal container 114 as long asthere are no air gaps or voids to impede the wave patterns 200. As thecoffee 101E is being created, it can flow out of the one or moreopenings in the internal container 114 bottom as shown. Preferably thegrounds 100 are retained in a screen or other type filtration device 116as shown

This example for coffee brewing can be adapted for other beverages suchas tea, beer or other alcoholic beverages including, but not limited towine production. Similarly the methods can be applied to increase plantderived extracts used in drug manufacturing.

The present invention employs the use of pressure pulses or shock wavesto stimulate a cellular response stimulating a tissue cell releaseprocess that activates the more permeable tissue cell walls to initiatea systemic release of extractable plant matter.

In the pressure pulse or shock wave method of treating a plant tissue, azygotic embryo or seed or somatic embryos of the plant or cultures ofsuch embryos are positioned in a convenient orientation to permit thesource of the emitted waves to most directly send the waves to thetarget site to initiate pressure pulse or shock wave stimulation of thetarget area or zone with minimal, preferably with little or noobstructing features in the path of the emitting source or lens.Assuming the treatment region is accessible through an open accessregion then the shock wave head 43 can be inserted and placed directlyon or adjacent to the treatment region 200. Assuming the target area orsite is within a projected area of the wave transmission, a singletransmission dosage of wave energy may be used. The transmission dosagecan be from a few seconds to 20 minutes or more dependent on thecondition. Preferably the waves are generated from an unfocused orfocused source. The unfocused waves can be divergent, planar or nearplanar and having a low pressure amplitude and density in the range of0.00001 mJ/mm² to 1.0 mJ/mm² or less, most typically below 0.2 mJ/mm².The focused source preferably can use a diffusing lens or have afar-sight focus to minimize if not eliminate having the localized focuspoint within the treated plant cellular tissue. Preferably the focusedshock waves are used at a similarly effective low energy transmission oralternatively can be at higher energy but wherein the tissue target siteis disposed pre-convergence inward of the geometric focal point of theemitted wave transmission. In treating some hard to penetrate regions,the pressure pulse more preferably is a high energy target focused wavepattern which can effectively penetrate through outer structures priorto being dampened while still exposing the plant cells to activatingpressure pulses or shock waves. This emitted energy preferablystimulates the plant cells with or without rupturing cellular membranes.The surrounding plant cells in the region treated are activatedinitiating a release mechanism response stimulating increases inextractable material.

These shock wave energy transmissions are effective in stimulating acellular response and can be accomplished without creating thecavitation bubbles in the plant tissue of the target site when employedin other than site targeted high energy focused transmissions. Thiseffectively insures the tissue or plant does not have to experience thesensation of cellular membrane rupturing so common in the higher energyfocused wave forms having a focal point at or within the targetedtreatment site when such cell rupturing causes adverse taste by productsin certain beverages.

This method permits the lens or cover of the emitting shock wave sourceto impinge on the immersed plant tissue directly or through atransmission enhancing water or fluid medium during the pressure pulseor shock wave treatment. The treated area can withstand a far greaternumber of shock waves based on the selected energy level being emitted.For example at very low energy levels the stimulation exposure can beprovided over prolonged periods as much as 20 minutes if so desired. Athigher energy levels the treatment duration can be shortened to lessthan a minute, less than a second if so desired which can be emitted inan intermittent pulsed pattern if so desired. In some beverages thelimiting factor in the selected treatment dosage is avoidance orminimization of tissue cell rupturing and other kinds of damage to thesurrounding cells or tissue which can release unwanted tissue byproductswhile still providing a stimulating cell activation or a cellularrelease or activation of proteins or functional fragments of the proteinor other chemical composition that modulates factors such as extractyields. In less sensitive applications, cell rupturing is a desirableway to increase extract yield.

The underlying principle of these pressure pulse or shock wave therapymethods is to activate the treatment area directly and to stimulate theplant's own natural extract release capability. This is accomplished bydeploying shock waves to stimulate cells in the surrounding plant tissueto activate a variety of responses. The acoustic shock waves transmit ortrigger what appears to be a cellular communication throughout theentire anatomical structure, this activates a generalized cellularresponse at the treatment site, in particular, to release the materialsinto the extracted fluid. This is believed to be one of the reasonsmolecular stimulation can be conducted at threshold energies heretoforebelieved to be well below those commonly accepted as required.Accordingly not only can the energy intensity be reduced in some cases,but also the number of applied shock wave impulses can be lowered fromseveral thousand to as few as one or more pulses and still yield abeneficial stimulating response. The key is to provide at least asufficient amount of energy to activate cell reactions.

Ideally the present invention is best suited for large scale beveragemaking operations, but can be envisioned to be employed in smallappliances such as residential coffee makers.

Nevertheless the use of such pressure pulses and acoustic shock wavescan be very beneficial to plant yield production in terms of increasingthe amount of extractable material per plant. The following pressurepulse/shock wave patterns are examples of some of the various forms ofpatterns that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 1 a is a simplified depiction of the a pressure pulse/shock wave(PP/SW) generator, such as a shock wave head, showing focusingcharacteristics of transmitted acoustic pressure pulses. Numeral 1indicates the position of a generalized pressure pulse generator, whichgenerates the pressure pulse and, via a focusing element, focuses itoutside the housing to treat plant cellular tissues such as leaves orseeds of plants. The plant tissue is generally located in or near thefocal point which is located in or near position 6. At position 17 awater cushion or any other kind of exit window for the acoustical energyis located.

FIG. 1 b is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator, such as a shock wave head, with plane wave characteristics.Numeral 1 indicates the position of a pressure pulse generator accordingto the present invention, which generates a pressure pulse which isleaving the housing at the position 17, which may be a water cushion orany other kind of exit window. Somewhat even (also referred to herein as“disturbed”) wave characteristics can be generated, in case a paraboloidis used as a reflecting element, with a point source (e.g. electrode)that is located in the focal point of the paraboloid. The waves will betransmitted into the plant tissue via a coupling media such as, e.g.,hot water and their amplitudes will be attenuated with increasingdistance from the exit window 17.

FIG. 1 c is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) with divergent wave characteristics. Thedivergent wave fronts may be leaving the exit window 17 at point 11where the amplitude of the wave front is very high. This point 17 couldbe regarded as the source point for the pressure pulses. In FIG. 1 c thepressure pulse source may be a point source, that is, the pressure pulsemay be generated by an electrical discharge of an electrode under waterbetween electrode tips. However, the pressure pulse may also begenerated, for example, by an explosion, referred to as a ballisticpressure pulse. The divergent characteristics of the wave front may be aconsequence of the mechanical setup shown in FIG. 2 b.

FIG. 2 a is a simplified depiction of a pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) according to the present invention having anadjustable or exchangeable (collectively referred to herein as“movable”) housing around the pressure wave path. The apparatus is shownin a focusing position. FIG. 2 a is similar to FIG. 1 a but depicts anouter housing (16) in which the acoustical pathway (pressure wave path)is located. In a preferred embodiment, this pathway is defined byespecially treated water (for example, temperature controlled,conductivity and gas content adjusted water) and is within a watercushion or within a housing having a permeable membrane, which isacoustically favorable for the transmission of the acoustical pulses. Incertain embodiments, a complete outer housing (16) around the pressurepulse/shock wave generator (1) may be adjusted by moving this housing(16) in relation to, e.g., the focusing element in the generator.However, as the person skilled in the art will appreciate, this is onlyone of many embodiments of the present invention. While the figure showsthat the exit window (17) may be adjusted by a movement of the completehousing (16) relative to the focusing element, it is clear that asimilar, if not the same, effect can be achieved by only moving the exitwindow, or, in the case of a water cushion, by filling more water in thevolume between the focusing element and the cushion. FIG. 2 a shows thesituation in which the arrangement transmits focused pressure pulses.

FIG. 2 b is a simplified depiction of the pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) having an adjustable or exchangeable housingaround the pressure wave path with the exit window 17 being in thehighest energy divergent position. The configuration shown in FIG. 2 bcan, for example, be generated by moving the housing (16) including theexit window (17), or only the exit window (17) of a water cushion,towards the right (as shown in the Figure) to the second focus f2 (20)of the acoustic waves. In a preferred embodiment, the energy at the exitwindow will be maximal. Behind the focal point, the waves may be movingwith divergent characteristics (21).

FIG. 2 c is a simplified depiction of the pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) having an adjustable or exchangeable housingaround the pressure wave path in a low energy divergent position. Theadjustable housing or water cushion is moved or expanded much beyond f2position (20) so that highly divergent wave fronts with low energydensity values are leaving the exit window (17) and may be coupled to aplant tissue. Thus, an appropriate adjustment can change the energydensity of a wave front without changing its characteristic.

This apparatus may, in certain embodiments, be adjusted/modified/or thecomplete shock wave head or part of it may be exchanged so that thedesired and/or optimal acoustic profile such as one having wave frontswith focused, planar, nearly plane, convergent or divergentcharacteristics can be chosen.

A change of the wave front characteristics may, for example, be achievedby changing the distance of the exit acoustic window relative to thereflector, by changing the reflector geometry, by introducing certainlenses or by removing elements such as lenses that modify the wavesproduced by a pressure pulse/shock wave generating element. Exemplarypressure pulse/shock wave sources that can, for example, be exchangedfor each other to allow an apparatus to generate waves having differentwave front characteristics are described in detail below.

In certain embodiments, the change of the distance of the exit acousticwindow can be accomplished by a sliding movement. However, in otherembodiments of the present invention, in particular, if mechanicalcomplex arrangements, the movement can be an exchange of mechanicalelements.

In one embodiment, mechanical elements that are exchanged to achieve achange in wave front characteristics include the primary pressure pulsegenerating element, the focusing element, the reflecting element, thehousing and the membrane. In another embodiment, the mechanical elementsfurther include a closed fluid volume within the housing in which thepressure pulse is formed and transmitted through the exit window.

In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is used incombinational wave forms. Here, the characteristics of waves emitted bythe apparatus are switched from, for example, focused to divergent orfrom divergent with lower energy density to divergent with higher energydensity. Thus, effects of a pressure pulse treatment can be optimized byusing waves having different characteristics and/or energy densities,respectively.

While the above described universal toolbox of the present inventionprovides versatility, the person skilled in the art will appreciate thatapparatuses that only produce waves having, for example, nearly planecharacteristics, are less mechanically demanding and fulfill therequirements of many users.

As the person skilled in the art will also appreciate that embodimentsshown in the drawings are independent of the generation principle andthus are valid for not only electro-hydraulic shock wave generation butalso for, but not limited to, PP/SW generation based on electromagnetic,piezoceramic and ballistic principles. The pressure pulse generatorsmay, in certain embodiments, be equipped with a water cushion thathouses water which defines the path of pressure pulse waves that is,through which those waves are transmitted. In a preferred embodiment, aplant tissue is coupled via a fluid to the acoustic exit window (17),which can, for example, be an acoustic transparent membrane, a watercushion, a plastic plate or a metal plate.

FIG. 3 is a simplified depiction of the pressure pulse/shock waveapparatus having no focusing reflector or other focusing element. Thegenerated waves emanate from the apparatus without coming into contactwith any focusing elements. FIG. 3 shows, as an example, an electrode asa pressure pulse generating element producing divergent waves (28)behind the ignition point defined by a spark between the tips of theelectrode (23, 24).

FIG. 4 a is a simplified depiction of the pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) having as focusing element an ellipsoid(30). Thus, the generated waves are focused at (6).

FIG. 4 b is a simplified depiction of the pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) having as a focusing element an paraboloid(y²=2 px). Thus, the characteristics of the wave fronts generated behindthe exit window (33, 34, 35, and 36) are disturbed plane (“parallel”),the disturbance resulting from phenomena ranging from electrode burndown, spark ignition spatial variation to diffraction effects. However,other phenomena might contribute to the disturbance.

FIG. 4 c is a simplified depiction of the pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) having as a focusing element a generalizedparaboloid (y^(n)=2 px, with 1,2<n<2,8 and n ≠2). Thus, thecharacteristics of the wave fronts generated behind the exit window (37,38, 39, and 40) are, compared to the wave fronts generated by aparaboloid (y²=2 px), less disturbed, that is, nearly plane (or nearlyparallel or nearly even (37, 38, 39, 40)). Thus, conformationaladjustments of a regular paraboloid (y²=2 px) to produce a generalizedparaboloid can compensate for disturbances from, e.g., electrode burndown. Thus, in a generalized paraboloid, the characteristics of the wavefront may be nearly plane due to its ability to compensate for phenomenaincluding, but not limited to, burn down of the tips of the electrodeand/or for disturbances caused by diffraction at the aperture of theparaboloid. For example, in a regular paraboloid (y²=2 px) with p=1,25,introduction of a new electrode may result in p being about 1,05. If anelectrode is used that adjusts itself to maintain the distance betweenthe electrode tips (“adjustable electrode”) and assuming that theelectrodes burn down is 4 mm (z=4 mm), p will increase to about 1,45. Tocompensate for this burn down, and here the change of p, and to generatenearly plane wave fronts over the life span of an electrode, ageneralized paraboloid having, for example n=1,66 or n=2,5 may be used.An adjustable electrode is, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. b6,217,531.

FIG. 4 d shows sectional views of a number of paraboloids. Numeral 62indicates a paraboloid of the shape y²=2 px with p=0.9 as indicated bynumeral 64 at the x axis which specifies the p/2 value (focal point ofthe paraboloid). Two electrode tips of a new electrode 66 (inner tip)and 67 (outer tip) are also shown in the Figure. If the electrodes arefired and the tips are burning down the position of the tips change, forexample, to position 68 and 69 when using an electrode which adjusts itsposition to compensate for the tip burn down. In order to generatepressure pulse/shock waves having nearly plane characteristics, theparaboloid has to be corrected in its p value. The p value for theburned down electrode is indicate by 65 as p/2=1. This value, whichconstitutes a slight exaggeration, was chosen to allow for an easierinterpretation of the Figure. The corresponding paraboloid has the shapeindicated by 61, which is wider than paraboloid 62 because the value ofp is increased. An average paraboloid is indicated by numeral 60 inwhich p=1.25 cm. A generalized paraboloid is indicated by dashed line 63and constitutes a paraboloid having a shape between paraboloids 61 and62. This particular generalized paraboloid was generated by choosing avalue of n≠2 and a p value of about 1.55 cm. The generalized paraboloidcompensates for different p values that result from the electrode burndown and/or adjustment of the electrode tips.

FIG. 5 is a simplified depiction of a set-up of the pressure pulse/shockwave generator (43) (shock wave head) and a control and power supplyunit (41) for the shock wave head (43) connected via electrical cables(42) which may also include water hoses that can be used in the contextof the present invention. However, as the person skilled in the art willappreciate, other set-ups are possible and within the scope of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a simplified depiction of the pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) having an electromagnetic flat coil 50 asthe generating element. Because of the plane surface of the acceleratedmetal membrane of this pressure pulse/shock wave generating element, itemits nearly plane waves which are indicated by lines 51. In shock waveheads, an acoustic lens 52 is generally used to focus these waves. Theshape of the lens might vary according to the sound velocity of thematerial it is made of. At the exit window 17 the focused waves emanatefrom the housing and converge towards focal point 6.

FIG. 7 is a simplified depiction of the pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) having an electromagnetic flat coil 50 asthe generating element. Because of the plane surface of the acceleratedmetal membrane of this generating element, it emits nearly plane waveswhich are indicated by lines 51. No focusing lens or reflecting lens isused to modify the characteristics of the wave fronts of these waves,thus nearly plane waves having nearly plane characteristics are leavingthe housing at exit window 17.

FIG. 8 is a simplified depiction of the pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) having an piezoceramic flat surface withpiezo crystals 55 as the generating element. Because of the planesurface of this generating element, it emits nearly plane waves whichare indicated by lines 51. No focusing lens or reflecting lens is usedto modify the characteristics of the wave fronts of these waves, thusnearly plane waves are leaving the housing at exit window 17. Emittingsurfaces having other shapes might be used, in particular curvedemitting surfaces such as those shown in FIGS. 4 a to 4 c as well asspherical surfaces. To generate waves having nearly plane or divergentcharacteristics, additional reflecting elements or lenses might be used.The crystals might, alternatively, be stimulated via an electroniccontrol circuit at different times, so that waves having plane ordivergent wave characteristics can be formed even without additionalreflecting elements or lenses.

FIG. 9 is a simplified depiction of the pressure pulse/shock wavegenerator (shock wave head) comprising a cylindrical electromagnet as agenerating element 53 and a first reflector having a triangular shape togenerate nearly plane waves 54 and 51. Other shapes of the reflector oradditional lenses might be used to generate divergent waves as well.

With reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 a schematic view of a shock wavegenerator or source 1 is shown emitting a shock wave front 200 from anexit window 17. The shock wave front 200 has converging waves 202extending to a focal point or focal geometric volume 20 at a locationspaced a distance X from the generator or source 1. Thereafter the wavefront 200 passes from the focal point or geometric volume 20 in adiverging wave pattern as has been discussed in the various other FIGS.1-9 generally.

With particular reference to FIG. 10 a plant tissue 100 is showngenerally centered on the focal point or volume 20 at a location X₀within the tissue 100. In this orientation the emitted waves are focusedand thus are emitting a high intensity acoustic energy at the locationX₀. This location X₀ can be anywhere within or on the tissue 100.

With reference to FIG. 11, the plant tissue 100 is shifted a distance Xtoward the generator or source 1. The tissue 100 at location X₀ beingpositioned a distance X-X₁ from the source 1. This insures the tissue100 is impinged by converging waves 202 but removed from the focal point20. When the tissue 100 is in this location the bombardment ofconverging waves 202 stimulates the cells activating the desiredresponse as previously discussed.

With reference to FIG. 12, the plant cellular tissue 100 is shownshifted or located in the diverging wave portion 204 of the wave front200. As shown X₀ is now at a distance X₂ from the focal point orgeometric volume 20 located at a distance X from the source 1.Accordingly X₀ is located a distance X+X₂ from the source 1. As in FIG.10 this region of diverging waves 204 can be used to stimulate the plantcellular tissue 100 which stimulates the cells to produce the desiredeffect or response increasing the quantity of material extracted fromthe cells.

As shown in FIGS. 1-12 the use of these various acoustic shock waveforms can be used separately or in combination to achieve the desiredeffect of stimulating extract yield.

The present invention provides an apparatus for an effective treatmentof plant tissues, which benefit from high or low energy pressurepulse/shock waves having focused or unfocused, nearly plane, convergentor even divergent characteristics. With an unfocused wave having nearlyplane, plane, convergent wave characteristic or even divergent wavecharacteristics, the energy density of the wave may be or may beadjusted to be so low that side effects including cellular membranedamage do not exist at all if so desired.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention is ableto produce waves having energy density values that are below 0.1 mJ/mm2or even as low as 0.000 001 mJ/mm2. In a preferred embodiment, those lowend values range between 0.1-0.001 mJ/mm2. With these low energydensities, side effects are reduced and the dose application is muchmore uniform. Additionally, the possibility of harming surface tissue isreduced when using an apparatus of the present invention that generatesunfocused waves having planar, nearly plane, convergent or divergentcharacteristics and larger transmission areas compared to apparatusesusing a focused shock wave source that need to be moved around to coverthe treated area. The apparatus of the present invention also may allowthe user to make more precise energy density adjustments than anapparatus generating only focused shock waves, which is generallylimited in terms of lowering the energy output.

The treatment of the above mentioned plant tissue is believed to be afirst time use of acoustic shock wave therapy in the manufacture ofplant extracts or beverages. None of the work done to date has treatedthe above mentioned plant tissue with convergent, divergent, planar ornear-planar acoustic unfocused shock waves of low energy or high energyfocused shock waves in a transmission path from the emitting source lensor cover to the target site.

It will be appreciated that the apparatuses and processes of the presentinvention can have a variety of embodiments, only a few of which aredisclosed herein. It will be apparent to the artisan that otherembodiments exist and do not depart from the spirit of the invention.Thus, the described embodiments are illustrative and should not beconstrued as restrictive.

The use of acoustic shock waves to plant tissue stimulates a cellularresponse of the treated tissues. This response activates otherwisedormant cells to increase the plant's cells to release more material tobe extracted.

A further benefit of the use of acoustic shock waves is there are noknown adverse indications when combined with the use of other process ofmanufacture. In fact the activation of the cells exposed to shock wavetreatments only enhances cellular release of such extractable nutrientsmaking them faster acting than when compared to non stimulated cellsconventionally processed to yield an extract.

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of acoustic shockwaves can be combined with organic food processing. The treatment doesnot require genetic alteration or manipulation to accelerate theotherwise improve extract yields of plant tissue as such the use ofacoustic shock waves is compatible with organic farming practices aswell as the new fields of genetic engineering.

It will be appreciated that the apparatuses and processes of the presentinvention can have a variety of embodiments, only a few of which aredisclosed herein. It will be apparent to the artisan that otherembodiments exist and do not depart from the spirit of the invention.Thus, the described embodiments are illustrative and should not beconstrued as restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of increasing extracts taken fromcellular plant tissue comprises the steps of: placing prepared cellularplant tissue in a container; introducing a fluid into the container towet and immerse the prepared cellular plant tissue; and emittingacoustic shock waves into the fluid immersed cellular plant tissue toincrease the extracts released by the plant tissue into the fluid.
 2. Aproduct made from the method, the product being a beverage, medicine ordrug made by the method of claim
 1. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein thestep of emitting includes the step of: transmitting shock waves to thewet cellular plant tissue to enhance release of extracts into the fluidwherein the acoustic shock wave has a very rapid pressure spike theamplitude of the positive part is above 0.1 MPa and the cycle timeduration is from below a microsecond to a second with the rise time ofthe positive part of the pressure cycle being in the range ofnanoseconds up to milliseconds, achieved in an extremely short duration.4. The method of claim 1 wherein as the wave approaches a cell itcompresses the cell initially, thereafter the pressure of the wave dropsin a slower fashion as it continues across the cell that tends to puttension on the cell wall as it relaxes from the sudden compressive risein pressure causing the cell wall to rebound in a spring like fashionand stretches slightly increasing permeability, rapid bombardment of theacoustic waves in a pattern sequence, which first compresses thenstretches, and creates a rapid cellular squeezing effect enhancingpermeability into and out of the cell walls.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein the cellular plant tissue is completely immersed in fluid withno air gaps or voids to impede the acoustic wave patterns.
 6. The methodof claim 1 further comprises the step of: heating the fluid prior tocontacting the cellular plant tissue.
 7. The method of claim 1 furthercomprises the step of: separating the fluid and extracts mixture fromthe cellular tissue wherein the cellular tissue is mechanically held asthe fluid with extracts mixture passes to the holding vessel.
 8. Themethod of claim 1 further comprises the step of: transmitting the shockwaves in a pattern covering a volumetric region of the held cellulartissue as the cellular tissue is immersed in the fluid.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the acoustic shock wave pattern is transmitted at leastinitially as the fluid passes through the cellular tissue.
 10. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the acoustic shock wave pattern is transmittedcontinuously as the fluid passes through the cellular tissue.
 11. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the transmission of the acoustic shock wavepattern is pulsed intermittently as the fluid passes through thecellular tissue.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellular planttissue is ground coffee and the apparatus is coffee maker or coffeebrewer.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellular plant tissue iscoffee beans placed in a slurry to create a fluid with extract mixtureto make an instant coffee product.
 14. The method of claim 1 wherein thecellular plant tissue is made of tea leaves and the apparatus is a teamaker.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellular plant tissue isone or more of the following; hops, barley, wheat, oats, soy beans orrice and the apparatus is used in brewing a beverage having an alcoholcontent.
 16. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellular plant tissue isused in the formulation of an extract for use in a drug or medicinecomposition.